(JUDAICA.) Adams, Hannah. The History of the Jews from the Destruction of Jerusalem...

(JUDAICA.) Adams, Hannah. The History of the Jews from the Destruction of Jerusalem to the Nineteenth Century. vi, 352; 338, xii pages. 2 volumes. 12mo, disbound, original paper-backed boards present; lacking second front free endpaper, intermittent foxing, dampstaining at rear of Volume II; uncut; early owners' inscriptions on first free endpaper. Boston, 1812

first edition. Hannah Adams (1755-1831) is sometimes called the first female professional writer in America, though others such as Phillis Wheatley might dispute that claim. She is best known today for "A Summary History of New-England" (1799). The present work was researched at the Boston Athenaeum and at the personal library of former president John Adams (a third cousin). It was the first history of Judaism written by an American. Rosenbach 162; Singerman 0218. Provenance: Swann sale, 2 February 1984, lot 3.